Laundry and garment press



Aug. 20, 1940. 3 E. DAVIS LAUNDRY AND GARMENT PRESS 3 Sheets-Shea: 1

Filed May 26, 1938 ll! 3 9 2 2 I 73 mm 2 m I Illm 8 i, m ww mn 3 S r 3 a 5 3 mm mm ow mu 3 3 8. 3 m. R n l mm INVENTOR DAVIS ATTORNEYS ERNEST BY 55AM h Aug. 20,1940. E. DAVIS 2,212,190

" mm AND GARMENT PRsss Ei led May 26, 1938 s Sheets-Sheet? Aug. 20, 1940.v E. DAVIS LAUNDRY AND GARMEQT PRESS Filed llay 26, 1938 a Shets-Sheet' s ATTORNEES Patented Aug. 20, 194.0

, UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Prosperity Company, Inc., Syracuse, N.

corporation of New York Application May 26, 1938, Serial No. 210,279

9 Claims.

This invention relates .to textile pressing machines, and more particularly to a new laundry and garment press. Such machines are used by laundries for ironing washed goods and laundered apparel and also by tailors and clothing manufacturers for the press finishing of outer suits, woolen garments and the like.

This invention is illustrated by showing two examples of new and improved jaw-motion textile-ironing and pressing machines, both examples of which are of the scissors-action type, so called because of the up and down arcuate movement of the upper ironing head which is pivoted on a horizontal axis somewhat to the rear-of and parallel with the longitudinal axis of the coacting pressing elements or jaws of well known form, generally called the head and buck. These new presses have the advantage, according to this invention, of a wide opening to fully expose the padded lower buck to the operator when laying and smoothing the work thereon.

A scissors-action press is well suited to the ironing of washed goods and laundered apparel, as well as the pressing of outer suits, such as woolen garments and the like. This invention seeks to improve the scissors-action press .for both purposes, and to provide motor-operated as well as foot-operated textile presses.

One of the illustrated examples of this invention shows a jaw-motion textile press which closes all the way from its wide or fully-open position to its final or fully-closed heavy-pressure position by any suitable form of power means, such as an electric or a fluid-pressure motor means; and upon de-energizing said motor means, the press is automatically returned to its normally wide-open position by springs or other equivalent counterbalancing means; or the press may be opened by the motor means itself. Such a machine is sometimes referred to in the trade as a full-automatic press because it is full-power operated in the closing thereof.

While one or more preferred formsof movable upper head and stationary padded lower buck scissors-action types of textile presses are illustrated herein, this invention alsomay be used if desired in connection with jaw-motion presses wherein either the head or the buck, or both are movable. However, my new full-automatic power-operated mechanism imparts to the movable head such adequate jaw compression upon the work being ironed, as to render entirely unnecessary a pressure movement of the buck, despite the fact that the ironing of washed goods 55 and laundered apparel requires very heavy final pressure to dry out and impart a domestic finish or sheen desirable in connection with laundered work.

A laundry or ironing press delivers a prolonged 5 heavy pressure by remaining for a time in contact with the work which is damp when it is placed in the press. Its movable ironing head is heated and has a polished or plated ironing surface to dry out the damp laundered wash goods and impart a domestic finish or sheen thereto. More 6 generally, commercial laundries use these ironing presses, and they are preferably motor operated because heavy pressure is required.

' On the other hand, a garment press for woolens has a movable head which delivers a momentary 10 contact of light pressure on the work, in effect patting the work, which comes in a dry condition to the press. Its head is also heated and has a pressing surface faced with a cloth or a screen grid cover, not only to spray and distribute steam to the dry woollen piece to dampen same, but also to prevent the domestic finish orsheen when shaping and pressing these non-washable goods comprising woollen suits and like outer garments. More generally, tailors use the garment presses and they are usually foot operated because heavy pressure is not required.

For both uses, that is, laundry ironing and garment pressing, the coacting press head and buck are preferably heated, generally by steam, and the lower buck is usually covered with padding in order to form a resiliently yielding bed on which to make the lay by spreading and smoothing the work thereon. The padding on the buck serves to equalize the pressure overthe meeting surfaces of the coacting pressing jaws, thus allowing the buttons and seams on laundered apparel and woollen garments to sink 'into the padding, thereby avoiding the breaking of the buttons when under the extra heavy final pressure of the polished surface on the ironing head of a laundry press, or when under the moderate pressure of the cloth-covered head of the garment press.

The foregoing conditions and manner of use, coupled with the fact that textiles are soft and limp in character and form, thus usually requiring the operator to reach into the press to make a proper lay of the work by spreading and smoothing it upon the padded lower buck, with other special requirements and problems involved in the textile-ironing or smoothing art, has long since come to widely distinguish both the laundry and garment presses, as a general class of pressing. machines, from presses used in other fields operating on materials not having the characteristics of textiles and where the conditions are entirely different therefrom.

One of the more important objects of this invention is to produce a textile pressing machine having a new and specially built small upright frame in the form of a pedestal having a spreading lower base to rest on the floor and a spreading upper frame to enclose the leverage mechanism. Such a frame is well adapted, according to my invention, to enclose a motor, asan actu- 6 ating means for operating the leverage to close the press when adapting the invention to laundryironing work requiring considerable power and a prolonged ironing pressure, or to enclose a footoperated mechanism as an alternate actuating means to close the press when adapting the invention to garment-pressing work ordinarily requiring less power and a light momentary pressure.

Pursuant to the foregoing, it is an object to produce a frame means for textile presses, wherein the manufacturer can employ this new frame construction as a standard part, and incorporate therein either a motor-operated or a pedal-operated leverage mechanism to actuate the press, depending somewhat upon the use for which the machine is made. The frame is designed and constructed with the view of enclosing the mechanism, reducing the weight of the press, the space occupied thereby, and presenting a pleasing and neat appearance. Generally speaking, the leverage part of the mechanism herein is the same for both presses. The leverage is operated by a piston and cylinder in one case for laundryironing, and by a pedal means in the other casefor garment pressing.

It is also an object to produce a leverage r". anism, shown herein as a toggle, which is capable of imparting a long arcuatemovement to the pressing head, comprising a non-locking toggle leverage which preferably exerts and ,holds its pressure position under the force of the actuating means (a motor or pedal), which force is continuously applied or maintained during the ironing or pressing operation, rather than by locking the leverage past dead center, or by other mechanical locking means. As a'consequence thereof, this new scissors-action leverage easily and quietly releases from high compression and returns the head to its wide-open position high above the padded buck without jar and rebound.

Another purpose is to provide an operating mechanism, for a scissors-action textile press, which is simple in construction and comprises few parts compactly arranged within a-comparatively small enclosing frame, resulting in a press which can readily be manufacturedof steel to reduce the size and weight. lessen the inertia of moving parts, and gain speed inoperation, particularly in finishing small pieces so prevalent in laundered work.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention has relation to one or more novel constructions of parts, in a new combination and arrangement thereof within a pedestal frame, by 1 which I economically produce a press for either laundry ironing or garment pressing. It will be understood that variations in construction may be made without departing from the purposes and principles of this invention, of which there are shown two, preferred or main examples thereof in the accompanying drawings.

Figures 1 thru 5 show an example of the first form of the invention, in the form of a full-automatic scissors-action laundry press operated by a .fluid-pressure motor means, usually energized by air pressure. In this pneumatic press, the operator never places her hands on the movable head.

- Figure 1 shows a side elevation of this laundry power press in open position, with the frame in vertical section to show the motor means and its leverage parts for swinging the ironing head throughout its operating range and normally holding it in up position high above the padded buck. v

all parts generally concealed.

Figure 2 shows this power press in closed position with its padded buck under ironing pressure. Figure 3 shows a sectional view taken on line 3-3, say of Figures 2 and 4, looking down intothe small frame enclosing the motor means.

This is a top view of the frame base, showing its contour especially formed to provide for stability of the press, as well as a convenience to theoperator in standing close to the machine table when reaching into the press across the padded buck in spreading the work thereon.

Figure 4 is a front elevation in closed position, the air motor being shown in dotted lines within the small upright pedestal frame. A manual control is shown at the front of the press and comprises two-hand control manuals, in the form of buttons. They are mounted in spaced relation for controlling the action of the motor means with safety to the operator.

Figure 5 isthe last view of this pneumaticpower laundry press and shows it in rear elevation and closed position. The air-pressure tubes or lines are enclosed within the press frame and connected with the air motor and its two-hand control means, thus affording a compact and simplified air-line hook-up for the motor, with Figures 6, 7 and 8 show an example of the second form of the invention, comprising a pedal or foot-operated garment press which is adapted to textile finishing requiring a lighter pressure. usually for woollens and the like, although ade quate jaw pressure can be developed with this press for some classes of laundry ironing work. This press is built upon and into the same pedestal frame as the power press heretofore mentioned and has the same head-operating leverage. As shown, a handle is usually carried on the movable head of this foot-operated press as a convenience to the operator in starting the head down and patting or light pressing the work.

Figure 6 shows a side. view of this foot-operated pressin lower section, upper elevation, and in wide-open position.-

Figure 7 shows the foot-operated press in closed position, with its frame in full vertical section, and its base in elevation.

Figure 8 is a sectional view made on the line 8-8 of Figure 6', comparable to the Figure 3 heretofore explained, except showing the pedalhead-carrying lever or arm for swinging the head up and down, and the leverage shown in the form of a toggle means with its manually-adjustable pressure-regulating device, are the same and hence standard in both the pneumatic-power and foot-operated presses presented herewith. A description of these parts, common to both presses, will now be given, and reference is. first made to all views in the accompanying drawings.

The press frame and its leverage shown in all views parts to the dome-shaped base. The front of the base III, II is cut out at I2 on an inward curve and arched inwardly as shown, thereby providing two spaced corners l3 (Figures 3 and 8) disposed at the front of the press and in parallel relation with the machine table. This form of lightweight base is stable and occupies minimum floor space. It makes for accessibility to the operator in laying the work because she can stand close, the cut-out I2 affording room for her feet when standing adjacent the press.

A sheet-metal upright enclosing frame has a solid front wall I5, with two parallel sides I6, and may be left open in the rear as indicated at IT. This frame standard is, therefore, of open-back form, U-shapedor of channel form in horizontal cross section, with its opening H in the rear. This enclosing frame I 5, I6 has its lower end set and welded upon the domed base I0, with the front wall I5 fairly close to the cut-out I2. The upper end of this channel frame piece I5, I6 is also open, and is of simple structural form, easily made of steel plate. In effect, this upright pedestal frame l5, I6 is hollow or opensided tubular in form; and it is smaller than and is located centrally of the circle defining the dome. base ID. The load or weight of the entire press is thus centrally distributed to the base I0, and the spaced front comers I3 prevent forward tipping, thus providing vertical stability of the machine.

A pair of parallel vertical frame extensions 20 is anchored, say welded, one part to each upper side wall I6, and both overhang the pedestal I5, I6 at the front and rear thereof. These two parts 20 are mounted in spaced relation, upright or vertically edgewise, and are frame plates enclosing the sides of the press at the top thereof. The

front top edges of both plates 20 form a horizontal support for a table later mentioned. The two rear ends of theseframe extensions or plates are in the nature of horns I9, since they taper and curve upwardly and rearwardly of the pedestal upright I6. Likewise, these horizontal frame extension plates extend forwardly and provide a leverage-mounting means overhanging the front margin of the base Ill beyond the cut-out I2.

. This frame member I9, 20 is made in pairs, as

seen in Figures 4 and 5, which is to say that two of these members are used in making the frame. Each frame piece I9, 2|! is welded, say by an v overlapped joint, to each upright side portion I6 of the standard I5, thereby making an integral frame. A cover plate 2| closes the overhanging front of the two parallel frame extensions '20,. leaving the overhanging rear end open where the horns Hcurve upwardly above the rear opening H of the pedestal standard I5, IS. The two upper frame pieces 20 are vertically disposed, and their front and rear ends overhang the horizontal floor base I0.

A table 23 rests upon the parallel frame parts 20 and encloses the upper part of the press frame. The table is preferably sheet metal, and it has a front downturned finishing skirt or flange 24 spaced forwardly of and parallel to the front plate 2I. The table also curves upwardly-at 25 in the rear, of the press, and this rear portion may be alittle shorter than the table proper 23 and its front flange 24. The work spread upon the buck in part hangs down on the table in the usual way. The table 23 and flat frame plates 20 form an enclosing frame to cap the open top of the standard I6 and spreads overit on all sides.

A lower buck or pressing jaw .26 has the usual padding 21 and is supported by a short pedestal 28, sometimes called a goose neck, which rests on the press frame. A pressing head 29 is adapted to coact with the padded lower buck to iron or press the work thereon, and the head opens high above the [buck to make the latter accessible to the operator in laying the work thereon.

A lever 30, or what is sometimes 'called the yoke, is pivoted at 3=I .on and between the frame horns I9. This lever or head-carrying arm 30 has its forward upper end attached to the head, thereby swinging the head up and down in relation to the padded lower buck. The lever is made substantially on a circle or in the form of a segment, and

its rear lower end conforms to and swings into and between the curved horns I9 which alscfform a segment of a circle. When the press is open,

the lower end of the head lever 30 rests or nests is to say that it is made inchannel form or U- 3 shaped with its open side facing downwardly and forwardly. The lever is about equal in width to the spacing between the frame parts I9 and thus fills the space 'therebetween forming a compact construction.

A toggle 33, 34 is mounted horizontally and centrally between the spaced horizontal frame parts 20, and the knee or toggle joint 35 pivots to a position along the vertical axis of the franf pedestal I5 when the press is open. The toggle reaches from front to rear of the upper part of the press frame; when straightened to close the press it lies adjacent and underneath the table 23; and when broken downwardly to open the press its pivotally-joined end at 35 approaches or swings down into the upright channel I5, IB forming the pedestal.

, The rear link 33 of the toggle is pivotally connected at 31 to the lower end of the press-head lever 30 for imparting a swinging movement to the latter. The front link 34 is pivotally carried on an adjustable frame bearing 38 at the front of the press adjacent and just behind the plate 2| which closes the front of the horizontal channel frame 20. The link 34 swings around the bearing 38 and acts through the toggle joint 35 to straighten the toggle and thrust the link 33 upwardly and re'arwardly to close the press. A

The front frame pivot 38 is carried in an adjustable arm 39 held in a stationary position and depending from a fixed frame pivot 40. The pivot 40 may be m'ounted in the two spaced frame plates 20, and the arm 39 is a short lever having its lower end operatively attached to a swivel The press operator can adjust the ironing pres- 75 proper use of the hand-wheel 42.

sure between the two pressing jaws 26 and 29 by Turning it to the right will run the screw 4| through the nut (Figure 2) and draw the adjustable toggle pivot 38 forwardly toward the frame plate 2|, thereby finely drawing the rear toggle pivot 31 toward the front of the press and correspondingly easing up on the head 29, that is, reducing its pressure against the buck pad 21. By turning the handwheel to the left, the swivel nut and lower end of the adjusting lever will move rearwardly toward the free end of the screw 4| (Figure '7), thus shifting the toggle rearwardly and urging the ironing head down tighter on the padding 21. The hand-wheel 42 is more conveniently rotated when the press is open to attain a proper pressure engagement of the two pressing members 21 and 29.

The manually-operable adjusting device 42 enables the press operator to.-reset the press to more nearly maintain uniform ironing pressure as the pad 21 recedes due to use and wear. The adjusting means is shown by way of an example, and other simple forms. thereof may be used at the front end of the toggle. It is noted that the table flange 24 overlaps in part thehand or star wheel 42, but leaves exposed a part thereof, by

which the-operator can readily turn it." The table flange 24 and frame part 2| are spaced apart to receive the hand-wheel and button control and valve parts later mentioned. This arrangement makes a compact and well appearing construction.

A horizontally disposed counterbalancing coil spring means 36 is concealed within the upper frame I9, 20. One end is fixed to the frame just behind the toggle adjusting lever 39 and the other end is attached to the lower curved end of the head lever 30. This spring means opens the press and holds it open (Figures 1 and 6) when the actuating means, later described, is not acting upwardly on the toggle 33, 34 to close the press. The long coil spring 36 is installed in pairs, one spring on each side of the toggle linkage, as seen at the rear of the press (Figure In addition, a starting spring or spring pair 43 is set at a right angle, or nearly so, with the straightened toggle 33,. 34. One end of this spring means 43 is attached to the'toggle and the other end to the frame down in the pedestal l5, IS. The spring means 43 more efiectively starts the toggle to breaking downwardly, whereupon the other spring means 36 comes into play and together both sets of springs 36 and 43 qiiickly open the press. The spring set or assembly 36, 43 is concealed in the frame, nested in closely with the other operating parts, and counterbalances the ironing or pressing head 29.

The foregoing describes the new press frame and. leverage combination, with its counterbalancing and press-opening spring means, shown in all the views, which is used for producing either a power-operated laundry press or a foot-operated garment press. A description of each one will now be given.

The motor-operated press shown in Figures 1 thru 5 A motor means shown as a cylinder 44 has its on the wrist pin 49 carried by the toggle. The up or out stroke of the piston actuates the toggle into a straightened position to close the press, but does not overstraighten it. Hence, toggle locking is avoided in that the toggle joint 35 preferably does not pass dead center.

A bumper or cushion stop 48 may be mounted on the piston rod 41 adjacent the piston 46 inside the cylinder. This stop 43 comes to rest against the cylinder head and prevents metallic impact between the piston and cylinder head, should the toggle joint 35 ever move upwardly past dead center due to error in the toggle adjustment. The stop is made of non-metallic material of some composition such as a rubber impregnated fabric, or semi-hard rubber, leather or other equivalent material. The stop 48 is tubular in form and cut to a proper length by which to limit or stop the.

piston 46 when the toggle is in a straight line position.

The pressure-adjusting device 39, 42 heretofore explained may to advantage be set to a position wherein the toggle joint 35 closely ap-- such adjustment, and with the buck padding maintained in normal condition by occasionally adding a layer of felt thereto or by installing a new pad, the piston 46 then always has a little freedom' of motion to urge on the toggle after the ironing head 29 engages the buck. That capability of the motor means 44 and its leverage 33, 34 provides a steady force continually urging down on the head thereby keeping up a steady pressure for the duration of the ironing period. A fluid-pressure supply, and a control means for the motor 44, is mounted within the frame in a simple and compact way, as shown in Figure 5. An inlet tube 50 brings compressed air to the machine from a compressor and storage tank not shown. This tube connects with an inlet valve 5| which normally remains closed, but which is opened manually by depressing a right-hand button 55. The air pressure then flows through a tube 53 toward a normally-open exhaust valve 54 which must be closed manually by depressing a left-hand button or manual 52, else the air exhausts to atmosphere and the motor isnot energized. The air pressure line 53 and two valves 5| and 54 are installed at thefront of the press behind the table flange 24, and make a compact assembly within the frame.

A flexible air tube 56 leads downwardly from the supply tube 53, being concealed inside the pedestal frame l5, I6, and connects with the bottom of the cylinder 44 under the piston 46. By pressing both two-hand control buttons 52 and 55, the air pressure is directed to the cylinder because the inlet valve 5| is opened and the exhaust valve 54 is closed. The air pressure drives upwardly, thus closing the press.

When the piston 46 passes and uncovers a port 51, a small amount of 'the air pressure is lead upwardly from the cylinder through a second flexible air tube 58 which is connected with a cross tube 59. This cross tube 59 has its two ends connected with a valve looking or holding means for taking the control away from the operator so she may release the two manuals 52 and 55, and yet the press remains closed under live air pressure urging on the piston 46. One end of the cross tube 59 connects with a plunger or diaphragm means 60 associated with the inlet valve 5| on'one side of the press. The other end of the cross tube connects with a similar diaphragm device 6| associated with the exhaust valve 54.

When the air pressure reaches the valve holders 60 and GI, the result is that the intake valve 5| is locked open, and the exhaust valve 54 is locked closed. That locking action is not-efl'ected until after the press head closes upon the buck, a safety condition attained by locating the port 51 up the cylinder so the piston 46 only uncoversthe port after the ironing head has swung downwardly upon the buck. During the outstroke of the piston the operator is compelled to hold both buttons 52 and 55 down, else the press will not close. If she releases one or the other, the air pressure is either cut off at the inlet valve 5| or escapes to atmosphere through the exhaust valve 54; whereupon the counterbalancing spring means 36, 43 will'instantly reverse the closing action and open the press.

After the ironing operation is completed, the press is opened by manually tripping one of the finger triggers 62 whichact to trip the pneumatic valve holders and BI. The air escapes,,the inlet valve 5| then assumes its normally-closed position and the exhaust valve 54 opens, whereupon the c'ounter-balancing spring means 36, 43 opens the press.

The foregoing pneumatic two-hand safety control for laundry presses is partly shown in my Patent 1,609,273, and the valves there employed may be modified and used in my new press herein disclosed. However, the present invention provides in its new frame and operating mechanism a more compact combination, by which any suitable pneumatic control may have its valves, air lines and manuals concealed within the frame and occupy less space. This is now attained in a new way because all parts are now organized and arranged in the light of this new combination, the whole of whichis built into a small enclosing pedestal frame.

. power stroke.

An ironing press made as described in the foregoing is well adapted for high speed work and is particularly efiicient on small lay washed'pieces. Such a press has medium size head and buck, with the result that the general run of laundry pieces aremore efliciently ironed. This applies to all manner of apparel, such as shirts, dresses, wash uniforms, underwear and the like.

In operation, it will be noted that the operator depresses both control buttons 52 and which energizes the actuating means, that is, the pneumatic motor, driving its piston 46 on the upward This straightens the toggle 33, 34 upwardly within the spaced frame pieces 20, and forces the rear toggle link 33 rearwardly, swings the curved head lever 30, and closes the press. The upper cylinder end tilts back and forth on its lower pivot. 'Air pressure holds the press closed for the necessary period-to dry out and iron the damp laundered work, after which the operator opens the press by pulling one of the release valve triggers 62, and the spring means 36, 43 opens the press.

The foot-operated press shown in Figures 6, 7

- and 8 This type of press is quite generally used in ments which are dry when placed on the buck 31,

must be steam damped, and should not be held under great pressure and heat.

A pedal lever III has its rear end pivoted at H on the low base l0 and moves up and down in a vertical slot 12 in the front wall l5 of the frame standard. The pedal reaches forwardly across the low fiat base I0 and has its foot piece close to the floor. A gear segment 13 is integral with or attached to the pedal and has its center at the pedal pivot I I. A pinion l4 meshes the gear segment I3 and is journaled inside the frame pedestal. The pinion is fixed on a shaft 15 rotatably mounted inside the parallel frame walls l6. An arm I8 is also fixed on the shaft. Up and down motion of the pedal 10 rotates the pinion 14 and swings the arm 1i An actuating link or connecting rod 1], like the piston rod 41 heretofore described, operatively connects the outer end of the arm 16 with the toggle, say at its knee joint 35. Thus the pedal motion is transmitted to the toggle 33, 34 for closing and opening the press. A counterbalancing spring 18 has one end fixed inside the open-back.

-moves his or her foot from the pedal or releases the down pressure thereon exerted by the operator's leg. A stop bar with an adjustable screw 19 is fixed in the press frame, so that the arm 16 comes to rest thereagainst and prevents the toggle means l6, 11 from becoming locked past dead center.

A handle 80 is usually carried on the front of the head 29 or head lever 30 of a tailors garment press, as a convenience to the operator. He grasps the handle 80 and by arm motion gages the downward movement'of the head when depressing the pedal 10 with his foot. A combined arm andfoot motion is ordinarily used by the operator in tailor presslng'work because it aids in the control of applying a light patting momentary pressure on the buck as the operator steams and presses the work thereon. The counter-bala'ncing spring means 18 rapidly lifts the head from the work so the operator may smooth and arrange it between the patting strokes of the heated head.

In both forms of the press, there is provided a common frame and leverage means well adapted to the two prime movers or actuators, comprising the motor means 44 for the laundry press shownin the first views, and the pedal and gear compared to its wide low base I It on the floor and the upper spreading horizontal frame 2|! and table 23, yet the actuating means (motor or gear pedal transmission) is accessibly concealed therein. Likewise'thetoggle leverage 33, 34 is concealed in the upper frame 20, but is accessible from the rear of the press. The entire mechanism is accessible for servicing, greasing and adiustment, if required, by reason of the vertical opening I! which constitutes an open-back form of central frame standard. 7

.This invention is presented to fill a needfor improvements in a laundry and garment press. It is understood that various modifications 'in structure, as well as changes in' mode of operation, assembly, and manner of use, may and often do occur to those skilled in the'art, especially after benefiting from the teachings of an invention. Hence, it will be understood that this disclosure is illustrative of preferred means of embodying the invention in useful form by explaining the construction, operation and advantages there-of.

What is claimed is:

1. A textile pressing .machine comprising, in combination; a frame having a base of generally horizontal and fiat formation which rests on the floor, with a standard which in cross section is smaller in area than the base, rising vertically from said base and having an open side at the rear, two spaced vertically disposed frame members fixed at the top of the open-back standard and overhanging same at the front and rear thereof, the rear ends of said spaced members being curved upwardly forming frame horns, a table mounted on the spaced members with a rear up-turned portion following the horns, and a front down-turned flange over the front of the spaced members and serving to cover the latter; a buck mounted on the spaced frame members, and a head adapted to coact with the buck; a lever pivoted between the spaced horns and curved substantially on the arc of a circle and swingable within the spaced horns, the front end of the lever being attached to the head, while the rear end of said lever curves downwardly toward the inside of the spaced frame member; leverage means comprising a toggle linkage horizontally disposed within the spaced frame members, with its rear link pivotally connected with the rear -end of the lever, and its front link pivoted on a frame bearing mounted,within the front end of the spaced frame members; and actuating means mounted within the lower portion of the openback standard and having an operating connection with the toggle linkage.

2. A laundry and garment press comprising, in combination; a frame formed of sheet stock, including a hollow base made in the shape of an inverted vessel having a down-tumed peripheral flange resting on the floor, with a solid top spreading across the flange and enclosing said base, a standard rising from the center of the base and formed open in the rear and closed on the front and sides from top to bottom thereof; an actuating mechanism within the standard, including a vertically disposed rod, the lower end of which is operatively associated with the actuating means, while its upper end extends upwardly toward the top end of the standard, and said.

rod adapted to be reciprocated within the standard by said actuating mechanism; an enclosing frame capping and-overhanging the top of the standard, a pair of spaced up-standing horn--- brackets integral with the rear of the enclosing frame; a leverage means mounted within the enclosing frame and operatively connected with the upper end of the rod; and a lever of generally arcuate form pivoted between the horn brackets on a frame bearing supported by the upper ends of said brackets, the lever extending forwardly.

and being attached to an ironing or pressing head adaptedsto open and close on a padded lower bu'ck supported on the enclosing frame, said lever extending downwardly toward and into said enclosing frame and being pivotally connected with the leverage.

3. "A laundry and garment press comprising, in combination; a peripheral flange down turned from sheet stock which forms a hollow inverted base having a closed top adjacent the floor, the front of the base having a cut-out arched inwardly toward the center of said base, which prozontally disposed frame, covered over by a table, 5

mounted on the upper end of the standard, overhanging said standard on all its sides, and projecting forwardly of the base cut-out and its front corners; a padded buck supported on the frame,

and a pressing head above the buck adapted to 10 open and close thereon; a lever pivoted at the rear of the horizontal frame and having its front end attached to the head; an actuating means mounted within the standard above the base, and

an operating connection .from the actuating 16 means extending upwardly through the standard to the horizontally disposed frame and thence rearwardly to the rear end of the lever and being pivotally connected with the latter.

4. A pressing machine comprising, in combi- 20 nation; a frame, the upper portion of which includes apair of spaced plates set edgewise, said plates extending horizontally from front to rear ofthe machine, and curving upwardly at their rear ends, together with a table resting on top 25 of said edgewise set plates, said table being turned down at the front thereof and forming alflnishing flange which covers the front of the upper frame portion; a padded buck supported by the spaced plates, and a head adapted to open 30 and close in relation to the buck; a lever pivoted between the rear ends of the spaced plates, the lever extending forwardly and being attachedto the head, and curving rearwardly and down-' wardly into the space between the edgewise 35 a toggle mounted horizontally between 2 plates; the spaced plates, with its front link pivoted on v a frame bearing carried at the front end of the spacedplates, its rear link pivotally connected with the lower movable end of the lever, and with 40 its knee joint adapted to swing up and down between the spaced plates; the lower portion of the frame including a flat base resting on the floor, with a standard extending upwardly from the flat base and forming therewith a pedestal, the 4,5

upper standard end being joined to the spaced plates aforesaid; and an actuating means carried in the pedestal and operatively connected with the toggle toswing its knee joint up and down as aforesaid tween the spaced plates.

5'. A textile pressing machine comprising, in

combination; a frame having a large flat base adapted to rest on the floor, with a. standard rising therefrom, said standard being u-shaped 55 and much smaller in cross section than the base, with the opening of said standard facing the rear of .the machine, thus forming closed flat sides and a closed flat front, two plates at the top of the standard, each plate being anchored edgewise to 60 each flat sideof the standard, and thus spaced apart a distance about equal to the width of the U-shaped standard, and both plates extending horizontally beyond the standard at the front and rear thereof, the whole of which forms a 65 pedestal having a horizontal floor base, a horizontal top frame, and a central standard of small size; a buck supported upon the pedestal, and a movable head above the buck; a lever pivoted between the rear ends of the spaced plates, the 70 front lever end being attached to the head, and the rear lever end being arranged to swing in the spacebetween the plates; a toggle having its rear link pivoted on the rear end of the lever, an adjustably-movable frame bearing heldat the front within the standard and be- 50 end of the spaced plates, the front link of said toggle being pivoted on said frame'bearing, the knee of the toggle being adapted to swing up and down in alignment withthe standard; and a rod having its upper end pivotally connected with the toggle, said rod extending downwardly into the open standard, an actuating means carried by the standard, the rod being operatively connected with said actuating means, and said rod being adapted for reciprocation within the standard under the control of an operator.

6. A pressing machine comprising, in combination, a pedestal including a large base, with a small central upright standard rising therefrom, and a spreading frame mounted on top of the small standard; said spreading frame having a table greater in area than the large base, said table extending forwardly beyond the front edge of the base, the front portion of the table being turned downwardly and covering the front of the spreading frame; a toggle mounted horizontally under the table above the standard and operable within the spreading frame; a frame bearing carried within and at the front of the spreading frame, a manual adjusting device mounted in the front portion of the spreading frame behind the front down-turned table portion, and being operatively connected with the frame bearing to adjust the latter horizontally back and forth, the front toggle link being carried on this adjustable frame bearing; a buck supported on the pedestal, and a head adapted to coact with the buck; a lever pivoted on the pedestal, one end of the lever being attached to the head, and the other end of said lever being pivotally connected with the rear link of the toggle; the toggle having its knee joint located-about centrally above the standard, and adapted to flex downwardly into said standard for opening the press; actuating means carried within the standard under the toggle knee and operatively connected thereto; a first lqng coil spring means alongside the actuating means and mounted inside the standard and having its lower end attached thereto, and its upper end connected with the toggle to initiate the breaking thereof to start the knee joint downwardly;

and a second long coil spring means mounted inside the spreading frame and alongside the toggle, with the front end of said spring attached to the frame, and the rear end thereof attached to the rear end of the lever, to actuate the latter and open the press by cumulatively adding to the effort of the first spring means.

, 7. A full-automatic laundry press comprising, in combination; an upright frame made of an open-back channel rising from a base, a cylinder mounted vertically inside the channel above the base, the lower cylinder end being pivotally mounted on a frame bearing within the channel adapting the upper cylinder end to swing back and forth, a piston rod extending from the upper cylinder end upwardly within the open channel; a horizontal frame and table fixed at the upper end of the channel, a toggle mounted inside the horizontal frame closely under the table, the upper end of the piston rod being pivotally connected with the toggle, the front toggle link being pivotally connected with a frame at the front of the horizontal frame under the table; a lever pivoted on a frame bearing at the rear of' the horizontal frame and above the table, said lever having its rear end pivotally connected with the rear toggle link, and said lever having its front end attached to a movable ironing head adapted to open and close on a padded buck which is supported by the upright channel.

8. A pneumatically operated fuil-automatic laundry press comprising, in combination; an upright frame made of an open-back channel rising from a base, a cylinder mounted vertically inside the channel above the base, the lower cyl inder end being pivotally mounted on a frame bearing within the channel adapting the upper cylinder end to swing back and'forth, a piston rod extending from the upper cylinder end upwardly within the open channel; a horizontal frame and table fixed at the upper end of the channel, a toggle mounted inside the horizontal frame closely under the table, the upper end of the piston rod being pivotally connected with the toggle, the front toggle link being pivotally connected with a frame bearing at the front of the horizontal frame under the table; a lever pivoted on a frame bearing at the rear of the horizontal frame and above the table, said lever having its rear end pivotally connected with the rear toggle link, and said lever having its front end attached to a movable ironing head which is adapted to open and close on a padded buck mounted upon the frame; and fluid-pressure control means for the cylinder, including two spaced valve means mounted at the front of the horizontal frame, the front portion of the table bein curved downwardly over and concealing the valve I means, with control manuals therefor extending through the downwardly curved table portion, air tube means mounted behind the table portion and connecting the valve means, and air tube means mounted within the channel alongside of and connected with the cylinder and extending upwardly into the horizontal frame and connected with the first named air tube means.

9. A foot-operated garment press comprising, in combination, a low flat base, the upper surface of which is close to the floor, with a standard rising centrally from said base, and a frame mounted at the top of the standard; a padded buck on the standard, and a pressing head thereabove; a lever pivoted at the rear of i the frame, and the front end of said lever being attached to the head; a toggle mounted horizontally within the frame, with the front link thereof pivoted 50 at the front of the frame, the rear link thereof pivotally connected with the rear end of the lever aforesaid, and the knee joint of said toggle being adapted to swing up and down in relation to the center of the base; an upright operating link inside the standard, with the upper end of said operating link pivotally connected with the toggle; a pinion joumaled within the lower portion of the standard, and the lower end of the operating link being operatively connected with go said pinion; a pedal having its rear end pivoted on the rear of the base, reaching forwardly across said base and through the standard, and

having its front end conveniently arranged in a low position for foot engagement at the front of the press, and a gear rack on the pedal concentric with the pivot at the rear of the base, said gear rack and pinion being meshed for operation, thereby forming a gear transmission inside .the standard to actuate the. operating link.

DAVIS. 

